Wasp Farm by Howard Ensign Evans

Welcome to Wasp Farm (by Howard Ensign Evans) where your skin might crawl—but your curiosity will thrive. In this oddly mesmerizing natural history classic, renowned entomologist Howard Ensign Evans dares to dive into the secret lives of one of nature’s most misunderstood—and frankly terrifying—creatures: the wasp.

With sharp wit, scientific precision, and more than a few eyebrow-raising revelations, Evans chronicles the bizarre behaviors, nesting rituals, and downright alien social structures of these winged menaces. Originally published in 1963 and reissued in this 1973 Anchor Books edition, Wasp Farm is a must-have for anyone obsessed with insects or science oddities.

Illustrated with chilling clarity this vintage paperback is part field guide, part horror story, and 100% fascinating.

Great for: entomologists, insect collectors, science nerds, brave souls.

Howard Ensign Evans was a well-known entomologist, and Wasp Farm is considered a classic in insect literature. It’s not just about farming wasps (thankfully); it’s a detailed, vivid account of wasp behavior, written for a general audience. People studying entomology, biology, or science writing will love this find.

The book hasn’t been reprinted in decades, so no new copies are in circulation. That scarcity drives up prices, especially for academic libraries and collectors.

-Used

-Paperback

-Anchor Books Edition (1973)